LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 16,1999, Page 8

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15.0 CHURCH COUNCIL [Board of Directors]
Even though it is not absolutely necessary for a congregation to have a church council, nevertheless
experience has shown this to be beneficial. The exact makeup of the council can be determined by the
congregation.
Example:
15.1 Membership
The church council shall be the board of directors and shall consist of the president, the vicepresident, the secretary, the treasurer of the congregation, the financial secretary the Board of
Christian Education, the Board of Evangelism, the Board of Stewardship, . . . , and ... [perhaps
members at large]. The pastor shall be an advisory [or voting] member of the church council. The
chairman and secretary of the congregation shall serve as chairman and secretary of the church
council.
15.2 Meetings
The church council shall preferably meet monthly in regular sessions and at least quarterly. Special
meetings may be called by the chairman [or pastor] or any three members of. the church council by
sending a notice which shall be delivered to the residence of each member at least 24 hours in
advance. A majority of the voting members of the council shall constitute a quorum.
15.3 Duties
It shall be the principal duty of the church council to coordinate the program and activities of the
various departments of the congregation. It shall have power to act in behalf of the congregation
between meetings of the voters assembly.
16.0 NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Specific procedures for the nomination and election of officers and board members should also be
included in the bylaws. If certain officers or board members are to be appointed, provisions for such
appointment must be made in the bylaws.
Example:
16.1 A nominating committee, chosen by the church council, shall present a slate of candidates for all
elected offices. The slate shall normally consist of two names for each office. Additional nominations
may be made from the floor. No person shall be nominated without his consent.
16.2 All officers shall be elected by a majority ballot vote and voting shall continue until a clear
majority has been established after candidates receiving the lowest number of votes have been
eliminated in each succeeding ballot.
16.3 The officers are elected for a term of ______ . The other members of the church council and the
members of all boards shall be elected or appointed for a term of _______.
16.4 Officers and board members shall be inducted into office in a public service of the congregation.
16.5 In case of a vacancy in an elective office, the voters assembly shall elect a successor to fill the
unexpired term.
17.0 OFFICIAL DUTIES
In addition to the duties listed in the constitution itself, the congregation will want to make provision for
detailing responsibilities as they are needed from time to time. Such detailing need not be included in the
bylaws, but provision for this should be made.
Example:
Officers and members of boards shall perform the duties prescribed in the constitution. The
congregation shall also have the privilege from time to time of detailing and enlarging these
responsibilities by majority vote of the voters assembly. It may also call such other boards and
committees into being as it may need from time to time.
18.0 MEETINGS
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